Device for attaching two separable parts together



W. G. AXTELL May 14, 1957 DEVICE FOR ATTACHING TWO SEPARABLE PARTSTOGETHER 2 She ets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 7, 195 5 u mm N m6 0 R A u# WV. .8

ATTORNEY May 14, 1957 w. G. AXTELL Y 2,792,248

DEVICE FOR ATTACHING TWO SEPARABLE PARTS TOGETHER Filed Feb. 1955 Y 2Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. WILLARD 6. AX TELL DEVICE FOR ATTACHING TWOSEPARABLE PARTS TOGETHER Willard G. A xtell, Denver, Colo., assignor toShwayder Bros, lino, Denver, Colo., a corporation of CoioradoApplication February 7, 1955, Serial No. 486,327

16 Claims. (Cl. 292-248) This invention relates to devices for attachingtwo separable parts together along a joint therebetween, such as a drawbolt for attaching two sections of a luggage case or the like together.

Various types of devices for attaching two separable parts together havebeen utilized, particularly sections of luggage cases, including latchesand locks of various types and draw bolts which have been utilized topull or draw the sections together, as well as hold them together inclosed position. One type of draw bolt which has been utilizedextensively, since many thousands and perhaps millions of the same havebeen utilized on luggage cases, cornprises a cap which is pivotallyattached at its rear end to a link, in turn pivotally attached at itsfront end to a base which is mounted on one of the luggage casesections. The free end of the cap is provided with a plate having a holetherein for engaging a draw bolt pin attached to the other case section.A spring at each of the pivotal connections, between the link and thebase and between the link and the cap, hold the cap normally in an upperor open position. For closing the case, the rear end of the cap islifted or the front end pushed down until the front end engages the drawbolt pin, whereupon the rear end of the cap is pressed downwardlyagainst the base. For opening the case, the rear end of the cap ispulled upwardly, which moves the cap forwardly, whereupon the front endof the cap may belif ted off the draw bolt pin. While such draw boltsprovide a secure attachment of the parts, both the opening and closingmanipulations thereof involve two sequential operations. Also, when thecase is particularly full of garments or the like, the pressure of thegarments or other articles disposed within the case may tend to forcethe case slightly open when the cap is first lifted, thereby requiringpressure against the case sections to hold them closed until the cap canbe disengaged from the draw bolt pin. Thus, although highly satisfactoryfrom the standpoint of service, stability and closure action, such adraw bolt sometimes involves difficulties in manipulation.

Other types of draw bolts or closure devices for lug gage cases are toooften unreliable in use, involving only a single part which is pushedinto or out of closure position, such as a hasp hinge mounted on onesection and when closed extending around a block on the oppositesection. Unless a complicated construction, which involves additionalmanipulation, is utilized in connection with a hasp, it tends to flyopen under relatively heavy stres and also tends to open at inopportunetimes, after a slight amount of wear has occurred. Other types ofdevices involve the same and additional difficulties and disadvantages.

Among the objects of the present invention are to pro vide a noveldevice for attaching two separable parts together along a jointtherebetween; to provide such a device which is particularly adapted tobe utilized as a draw bolt for attaching two sections ofa luggage caseor the like together; to provide such a device which involves a minimumof manipulation for opening and closnited States Patent O 7 2,792,248Patented May 14, 1957 ice ing; to provide such a device which holds theparts securely together in closed position and does not tend to fly openunder heavy stress; to provide such a device which does not tend to openunder stress, after a slight amount of wear has taken place; to providesuch a device which tends to remain in open position after opening; toprovide such a device which will open readily, even when a luggage caseor the like is particularly full of garments or other articles tendingto cause the case to fly open when the device is opened; to provide sucha device which may be manufactured relatively economically and installedreadily; to provide such a device which will withstand the rigors ofhard usage; and to provide such a device which is highly satisfactory inoperation and use.

The foregoing and additional objects of this invention, together withthe novel features and advantages thereof, will become apparent from thedescription which follows, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary, perspective View of a portion of a luggage caseon which is installed a draw bolt constructed in accordance with thisinvention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the draw bolt of Fig. l in closedposition and showing also certain portions of the luggage case to whichthe parts of the draw bolt may be attached;

Fig. 3 is a similar longitudinal section, but with the draw bolt in openposition and the trigger depressed, as on opening;

Fig. 4 is a cross section taken along line 4.4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a cross section taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section, looking downwardly along line 66 of Fig.2;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a base which forms a part of the drawbolt of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary horizontal section, looking up wardly along line88 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a trigger, which forms a part of thedraw bolt of Fig. l; and

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary longitudinal section, similar to a portion ofFig. 3.

A device for attaching two separable parts together along a jointtherebetween and constructed in accordance with this invention, such asa draw bolt, as in Fig. 1, may be installed on a luggage case having twosections 10 and 11 which are separable along a joint 12 therebetween,the joint 12 being at the meeting edges of the opposed sections 10 and11. Normally, the luggage case sections 10 and 11 will be attachedtogether by one or more hinges with a draw bolt placed along joint 12 attwo or more positions, such as along the side opposite, the hinges, orperhaps on the ends or other sides of the case. The draw bolt of Fig. l,as shown also in Figs. 2 and 3, may include a cap C which is pivotallyattached, as by a lost;- motion connection, to a base B which may bemounted on section lti of the luggage case. A trigger T may be mountedin the cap C for relative movement thereto and is adapted to engage acatch H, which is mounted on the other separable part, such as theluggage case section 11. The. cap C also preferably engages the, catchH, while a resilient block R may be mounted on the base, B and the cap Cmay be provided with means for engaging and compressing the block R asthe cap C and the trigger T engage the catch in general, when in closedposition, as in Fig. 2, the force holding the luggage sections 10 and 11together is transmitted through the cap C between the block R and thecatch H, while the engagement of the trigger T with th catch H merelyprevents the cap C from disengagement until the trigger T is actuated,as by being pushed inwardly to the position of Fig, 3 or Fig. 10. Thus,when the trigger T is disengaged from the catch H, the cap C pivotsupwardly about the base B, as to the position of Fig. 3 or Fig. 10, inwhich both the trigger T and the cap C clear the catch H, so that thejoint 12 may open orbe opened to separate the sections and 11. It willbe understood, of course, that when a plurality of draw bolts isutilized, each of the draw bolts is opened to the position of Fig. 3 orFig. 10, before the luggage case itself is opened. In addition to thehinges mentioned previously, not shown because conventional, the luggagecase may also be provided with a handle, a lock and other so-calledhardware, all of which are conventional and therefore not shown.

Sections 10 and 11 of the luggage case of Fig. 1 may be provided aroundthe peripheries thereof with interfitting strip means, such as in themanner disclosed and claimed in the copending application of Emmett H.Heitler, Serial-No. 484,335, filed January 27, 1955, and as also shownin my copending application Serial No. 499,069, filed April 4, 1955,although the draw bolt of this invention may be applied to other anddifferent types of luggage cases and may be used as a device forattaching together two separable parts other than sections of a luggagecase, as will be readily understood. Thus, it will be understood thatthe construction of a luggage case as described herein. is illustrativeonly and not in limitation of the construction or use of the device ofthis invention. As disclosed in the aforesaid copending applications,the luggage case section 10 may be provided with a tongue strip 13 andthe section 11 with a groove strip 14, the strip 13 being provided witha tongue and the strip 14 with a groove, as shown, adapted to interfitwith the sections in closed position, as in Fig. 2. Each of the strips13 and 14 may be provided with a web 15, an outer flange 16 and an innerflange 17 with a wall 18 of the case extending between web 15 and outerflange 16 of each of the strips 13 and 14, the wall 18 being attached tothe web 15 in any suitable manner, as by a series of spaced rivets or bythe same rivets or other elements by which the draw bolts and otherhardware parts are attached to the case, the latter preferably beingattached to the web 15 of the respective strips. The wall 18 maycomprise a strip of metal, such as magnesium alloy, which is provided onthe outside with a bonded layer of wear-resistant material, such as asuitable plastic,

although the wall 18 may be formedof fibreboard im- 1 pregnated on oneside or both sides with a suitable resin and provided on the outsidewith a bonded, wear resistant layer of a suitable plastic, or the wall18 may be formed of any other suitable material. When the luggagesections 16 and 11 are provided with a lining, the lining convenientlyextends into the space between inner flange 17 and web 15 of the strips13 and 14, as in the manner disclosed and claimed in the aforesaidcopending application of Emmett H. Heitler, Serial No. 484,335.

The base B may be attached to the case section 10 adjacent the joint 12,as by a rivet 19, which extends through the wall 18 to attach the base Bto the web 15 of the strip 13, with the front edge of the base Bconveniently abutting against the edge of outer flange 16 of the strip13, as in Fig. 3. Similarly, the catch H may be mounted on the casesection 11, also adjacent joint 12 and in opposed position to the baseB, as by a rivet 20, which extends through the wall 18 to attach thecatch H to web 15 of strip 14, the lower front edge of catch H similarlyconveniently abutting against the edge of'the outer flange 16 of strip14. i

The cap C, in Figs. 2-5, may comprise a top from each lateral edge ofwhich integral side flanges 26 and 27 extend downwardly, the lower edgesof flanges 26 and 27 preferably being spaced slightly from the casewalls 18 in closed position, as in Fig. 2, while the lower edge of eachside flange 26 and 27 may be provided with a rectangular groove 28disposed centrally thereof and shown more clearly in Fig. 3, toaccommodate the ledges 'formed by strips 13 and 14 with the cap inclosed pt sition. It will be understood that groove 28 may beunnecessary in many instances, such as when the device of this inventionis installed on a luggage case or other article which is completelyflush across the joint between the two separable parts. The front end ofthe cap C, between side flanges 26 and 27, is preferably open to permitaccess to trigger T for movement thereof, while the rear end of the capC may be closed by an end flange 29, with a bevel 30 provided at thelower end of flange 29 and also extending diagonally across the lowerrear corners of side flanges 26 and 27, to permit the cap C to pivotupwardly, as to the position of Fig. 3 or Fig. 10, without interferenceoccasioned by the lower rear edge thereof striking the wall 18. Inaddition, the bevel 30 may provide a stop for upward movement of the capC, so as to maintain the cap in a convenient position for downwardmovement when the luggage case is to be closed. The cap C may also beprovided with a pivot pin 31 which is mounted between the side flanges26 and 27 adjacent the rear of the cap, as well as a front or roll pin32 which extends between flanges 26 and 27 adjacent the front of the capand on which a roll 33 is mounted, for engagement with the catch H whenthe draw bolt is closed. Also, a central pin 34 extends between theflanges 26 and 27, for a purpose described later, the rear pin 31, frontpin 32 and central pin 34 conveniently being fixed pins. On itsunderside, the top 25 of the cap may be provided with a trough formed bylongitudinally extending, depending flanges 35, as in Figs. 4 and 8, forreception of a spring 36, which normally pushes the trigger Tresiliently into engagement with the catch H to hold the draw bolt inclosed position. The flanges 35 are conveniently formed integrally, asby casting, with an abutment 37 and a pair of blocks 38, the latterbeing shown in Fig. 8 as cylindrical but the configuration of which maybe varied considerably. Abutment 37 and pin 34 are engaged by one end ofcoil spring 36, while the outer edges of blocks 38 form a guide for thetriggger T, in a manner hereinafter described.

Cap C may be formed of suitable material, such as an aluminum alloywhich may be cast and then electrolytically polished and plated toprovide a suitable color, or an enamel, lacquer or synthetic resinfinish may be utilized. Also, the pins 31, 32 and 34 may be hollow, asshown, conveniently formed from narrow strips of flat stock rolledaround to an annular shape, so as to provide enough resiliency for awedging action when driven into holes in flanges 26 and 27 drilled forthat purpose. Of course, these pins may be solid and riveted over at theouter ends, or may be attached to the flanges 26 and 27 in any othersuitable manner.

Base B has a bottom 40 which rests on the case wall 18, as indicatedpreviously, with the front edge of bottom 40 abutting the flange 16 ofstrip 13, although in the event that a device of this invention isinstalled on a part which has a flush surface at the joint, more thanone rivet 19 may be utilized, or base B attached in any other suitablemanner. A side flange 41 upstands from each side of base 40, while anend flange 42 extends between the side flanges 41 at the front. Also,each of the side flanges 41 may be provided with a horizontallyelongated slot 43 having a thickness slightly greater than the outerdiameter of the rear pin 31 of the cap C, so that pin 31 may move alongthe slots 43 but also permit the cap C to pivot. The base B may be castfrom a suitable material, such as aluminum alloy, and the surfacethereof may be treated similarly to cap C.

The resilient block R is formed of rubber, either natural or synthetic,such as neoprene, and conveniently fits loosely between the side flanges41 to permit compression, but abuts against the front flange 42 of base13. The block R may be cemented or otherwise suitably attached inposition, or may be merely placed in position. In the latter case, tominimize the possibility of accidental .rnrsplacement, a lower leg 45may extend rearwardly beneath cap pin 31. As will be evident from Fig.2, when the cap C and trigger T are moved into engagement with catch H,the cap C is moved. slightly forwardly, so that the pin 31 will engageand compress the block R. The distance which the pin 31 moves, betweenthe positions of Fig. 2 and Pig. 3 need not be as great as indicated byFigs. 2 and 3, the same being slightly exaggerated for illustrativepurposes. In addition, the top 46 of block R may be bevelled upwardlyfrom rear to front so that when the cap C moves to the closed positionof Fig. 2, the under side of the top 25 of the cap will engage the topof the block R to compress the block, so that the block will move thecap C upwardly, as to the position of Fig. 3, when the trigger T isreleased for opening the case. Of course, the top of the block R mayhave any other desired configuration. Each block R may be formedindividually, as by molding, but more conveniently by cutting offindividual blocks from an extruded strip having a cross section such asthat shown in Fig. 3.

As shown in Fig. 9, the trigger T may be provided with parallel sides 50and 51 connected by a front 52, the latter of which may be concave onthe outside to facilitate the user exerting pressure against the front52, as by one finger, in releasing the trigger T when the case is to heopened, as well as to minimize the possibility of the draw bolt beingopened accidentally. Adjacent the front and at a position correspondingto front 'pin 32 of cap C, the sides Sit and 51 of the trigger areprovided with horizontally elongated slots 53, through which cap pin 32extends and which have a length equal to the desired amount of movementof the trigger T. Toward the rear, the sides 56 and 51 of the trigger Teach become narrower, as at an offset 54 which corresponds in positionto slot 28 of the corresponding side 26 or 27 of the cap C as in Fig. 3,while flanges 55 extend inwardly to prevent accidental displacement ofspring 36. The rear ends of sides 51 terminate in projections 56, whichact as slides, each projection 56 having a depth equal to the distancebetween the underside of the top 25 of cap C and the central pin 34thereof, with a slight amount for clearance. As will be evident fromFigs. 4 and 8, each projection 56 also fits between the inside of Walls26 or 2", of cap C and the outside of the adjacent block 38, the sides50 and 51 of the trigger thus limiting laterar movement of the triggerrelative to cap C. A pin 5'? may extend between the sides 50 and 51 ofthe trigger. T, located to engage catch H in closed position, as wen asto provide an abutment for the opposite end ofspring 36 and also to addrigidity to the trigger structure, while pin 57 may be a solid pinriveted at its ends to the sides 59 and 51 of the trigger. The triggermay be punched from a strip of brass or other suitable material, such assteel, formed to shape and plated or otherwise treated on the outside toreduce the possibility of rust and corrosion.

The catch H may be a block, substantially rectangular in cross sectionand formed by casting, or by cutting off individual catches from a stripof cast or extruded material, such as brass or aluminum, which has across section similar to that shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The catch H may beprovided on the side facing the joint 12 with a latching element, suchas a projection or hook 60, preferably having rounded edges, so that thetrigger pin 57 will pass thereover smoothly, the hook 6i) being disposedabove a groove 61 in which the trigger pin 57 engages the latch when thedraw bolt is in closed position, as in Fig. 2. Also, the front upperedge 62 of the catch is preferably rounded, so that the roll 33 on cappin 32 will move thereover easily when the draw bolt is being closed orbeing opened. The hook at and groove 61 preferably extend transverselythe full width of the catch, to provide maximum bearing surface forlatching, although diiferent configurations thereof may be utilized anddifferent types of latching elements and cooperating latching means onthe trigger may be utilized. The upper portions 63 of the sides of thecatch may be bevelled,

Q as in Fig. 5, to insure that the cap and trigger will seat squarely onthe catch, since the engagement of rear pin 31 of cap C in slots 43 ofbase B permit some pivotal movement of the cap in a lateral direction.

The assembly of the attaching device of this invention, such as the drawbolt just described, is relatively simple, since the trigger T with thepin 57 attached, may he slipped inside the cap C after the central pin34 of the cap has been driven into position. The spring 36 may be placedin position as the trigger is inserted in the cap, with the roll 33 ofthe cap placed between the sides of the trigger, after which the frontpin 32 of the cap may be driven into position. The base 8 and catch Hmay be attached, as in the manner previously indicated, after which theresilient block R may be placed in the base and the cap fittedthereover, as in the position of Fig. 3, with the holes for rear pin 31aligned with the base slots 43. Then, the pin 31 may be driven intoposition and the assembly is complete.

The operation of the device of this invention, such as a draw bolt, isvery simple, since all that is required to close the draw bolt is toexert pressure on the top of the free end of the cap C, while all thatis required to open the draw bolt is merely to exert inward pressure onthe front 52 of the trigger T. As will be evident, when the cap C ispushed downwardly from the position of Fig. 3 or Fig. 10, the roll 33will engage the front rounded edge 62 of the catch H and draw theluggage case sections together. Also, the spring 316 will permit the pin57' to engage the hook 649 and move the trigger T rearwardly, until thepin 57 can move into groove 61. At the same time, the cap is movedslightly forwardly so that the rear pin 31 will engage and compressresilient block R. Thus, in closed position, any force tending toseparate the sections of the luggage case will be resisted by the cap C,through the engagement of roll 33 With catch H and the engagement of pin31 with block R. Thus, the trigger T is not stressed, since the pin 57merely prevents the cap from moving upwardly, so that spring 36 need notbe as strong as though it were depended upon to hold the draw boltclosed. However, when it is desired to open the draw bolt, rearwardpressure on the front 52 of trigger T will compress spring 36, thuspermitting the cap C to move upwardly at the front end and the roll 33to move up over the rounded edge 62 of the catch H. As indicatedpreviously, the resilient block R tends to force cap C upwardly to asufficient extent that the roll 33 will clear the top of catch H, thusmaintaining the cap in an upper position until the case is again to beclosed. in addition, the ieg 45 of resilient block R tends to preventaccidental dis placement thereof.

From the foregoing, it will be evident that a device for attaching twoseparable pants together, such as a draw bolt, for attaching twosections of a luggage case or the like together, fulfills to a markeddegree the requirements and objects hereinbefor-e set forth. Theoperations necessaryforclosing the draw bolt are very simple, but thedevice holds the parts securely together and it does not tend to flyopen under heavy stress, since the latching elements which hoid the drawbolt closed are not relied on to resist the stress tending to open thecase, so that even though a heavy stress is imposed on the device, as bya luggage case which is particularly full of garments or other articles,the operation of the trigger T is not affected. in addition, theresiliency of block P. counteracts any slight wear which might takeplace and also reduces the tolerances necessary for manufaoture. As willbe evident from the preceding description thereof, the device may bemanufactured relatively economically and also may be installed readily.Also, due to the absence of stress on the latching ele ments, the deviceis particularly adapted to Withstand the rigors of hard usage.

Although a specific embodiment of this invention has been illustratedand described and variations indicated therein, it will be understoodthat other embodiments may exist and additional variations may be made,all without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for attaching two separable parts together along a jointtherebetween, comprising a base mounted on one said part adjacent saidjoint; a catch mounted on the other said part adjacent said joint inopposed position to said base; a cap extending across said joint withsaid parts in closed position; means pivotally mounting said cap on saidbase; a trigger mounted on said cap for movement relatively thereto,said trigger being provided with means for removably engaging saidcatch; a block of compressible, resilient material mounted on said base;and means associated with said cap for engaging and compressing saidblock as said trigger engages said catch.

2. A device for attaching two separable parts together, as defined inclaim 1, wherein said means pivotally mounting said cap or said baseincludes a pivot pin mounted on said cap and a slot in said base inwhich said pin is movable.

3. A device for attaching two separable parts together along a jointtherebetween, comprising a base mounted on one said part adjacent saidjoint and having laterally disposed flanges and provided with a slot; acatch mounted on the other said part adjacent said joint in opposedposition to said base; a cap extending across said joint with said partsin closed position, said cap having a depending flange at each side; apin extending between said cap flanges and through said base flangeslots for pivotally mounting said cap on said base; a trigger mounted onsaid cap for movement relative thereto, said trigger being provided withmeans for removably engaging said catch; and a block of compressible,resilient material mounted on said base between said flanges, said cappin engaging and compressing said block as said trigger engages saidcatch.

4. A device for attaching two separable parts together along a jointtherebetween, comprising a base mounted on one said part adjacent saidjoint; a catch mounted on the other said part adjacent said joint and inopposed position to said base, said catch having a latching element onthe side facing said joint and a rounded upper edge on the oppositeside; a cap extending across said joint between said base and said catchwith said parts in closed position; means pivotally mounting said cap onsaid base; a trigger mounted on said cap for movement relative thereto,said trigger being provided With means for removably engaging saidlatching element of said catch; and means including a roller on said capfor engaging the side of said catch opposite said latching element whensaid trigger means engages said latching element of said catch.

5. A device for attaching two separable parts together, as defined inclaim 4, wherein said latching element of said cap is a hook and saidtrigger means is a transverse pin engageable with said hook.

6. A device for attaching two separable parts together along a jointtherebetween, comprising a base mounted on one said part adjacent saidjoint; a catch mounted on the other said part adjacent said joint and inopposed position to said base, said catch having a latching element onthe side facing said joint; a cap extending across said joint betweensaid base and said catch with said parts in closed position; meanspivotally mounting said cap on said base; a trigger mounted on said capfor movement relative thereto, said trigger being provided with meansfor removably engaging said latching element of said catch; means onsaid cap for engaging the side of said catch opposite said latchingelement when said trigger means engages said latching element of saidcatch; a block of compressible, resilient material mounted on said base;

and means associated with said cap for engaging and compressing saidblock as said catch engaging means of said cap engages said catch.

7. A device for attaching two separable parts together, as defined inclaim 6, wherein said opposite side of said catch is provided with arounded upper edge and said catch engaging means of said cap is arotatably mounted roller.

8. A device for attaching two separable parts together, as defined inclaim 6, wherein said latching element of said catch is a hook and saidtrigger means is a transverse pin engageable with said hook.

9. A device for attaching two separable parts together along a jointtherebetween, comprising a base mounted on one said part adjacent saidjoint; a catch mounted on the other said part adjacent said joint inopposed position to said base; a cap extending across said joint withsaid parts in closed position, said cap having a top and depending sideflanges; means pivotally mounting said cap on said base; a triggermounted on said cap between said side flanges for longitudinal movementrelative thereto, said trigger being provided with means for removablyengaging said catch; a block of compressible, resilient material mountedon said base; and means associated with said cap for engaging andcompressing said block as said trigger engages said catch.

10. A device for attaching two separable parts together, as defined inclaim 9, wherein said cap has an end flange adjacent'said base, and thelower end of said end flange is beveled to permit greater upwardmovement of the opposite end of said cap.

11. A device for attaching two separable parts together, as defined inclaim 10, wherein said base is provided with upright side flanges and anend flange adjacent said joint, each said side flange having a slottherein; said block is disposed in the space between said side flangesand abuts said base end flange; and a rear pin extends between said capside flanges and extends through said base flange slots, said rear cappin being adapted to engage and compress said block upon movement ofsaid cap in one direction.

12. A device for attaching two separable parts together, as defined inclaim 11, wherein said block is provided with a lower leg extendingbeneath said rear cap pin.

13. A device for attaching two separable parts together, as defined inclaim 9, wherein said cap is provided with a central pin and a forwardpin, each extending between said cap side flanges; said trigger isprovided with sides and a front connecting said sides, each said triggerside having a slot therein through which said front cap pin extends andthe rear of each trigger side extends over said center cap pin, saidtrigger also having a central pin extending between said sidesrearwardly of said slots and a flange extending inwardly from each siderearwardly of said trigger pin; and a compression spring is disposedbetween said cap top and said inwardly extending trigger flanges, oneend of said spring engaging said center cap pin and the opposite end ofsaid spring engaging said trigger pin.

14. A device for attaching two separable parts together, as defined inclaim 9, wherein said catch is generally rectangular in cross sectionand upstands from said other separable part, the upper front edge ofsaid cap being rounded and the rear side of said cap being provided witha transversely extending groove generally arcuate in section and below atransverse, rearwardly extending projection having rounded upper andlower edges; said trigger is provided with a transversely extending pinfor engaging said groove and said trigger is urged forwardly byresilient means acting between said cap and said trigger; and said capis provided adjacent the front thereof with a roller for engaging thefront of said catch and rolling over the rounded upper front edgethereof in moving between disengaging and engaging positions as well asbetween engaging and disengaging positions.

15. A device for attaching two separable parts together along a jointtherebetween, each of said parts having an outwardly extending ledge atsaid joint, comprising a base mounted on one Slld part adjacent saidjoint, said base having a bottom, upright side flanges and an end flangeadjacent said joint, with each said side flange having a longitudinallyelongated slot therein and the front edge of said bottom abutting saidledge; a catch mounted on the other said part adjacent said joint and inopposed position to said base, said catch abutting at its rear loweredge against said ledge of said other part and said catch beinggenerally rectangular in cross section with the upper front edge thereofbeing rounded and the rear side thereof being provided with a generallyarcuate transversely extending groove disposed below a transverselyextending projection having rounded upper and lower rear edges, theupper portion of each side of said cap being beveled inwardly andupwardly; a cap extending across said joint between said base and saidcatch with said parts in closed position, said cap having a top,depending side flanges, an open front and an end flange disposedrearwardly of said base, the lower end of said end flange and sideflange being beveled to permit greater upward movement of the oppositeend of said cap, said cap being provided with a rear pin, a central pinand a forward pin, each extending between said cap side flanges withsaid rear pin extending through said slots in said side flanges of saidbase and said front pin being provided with a roller for moving over therounded upper front edge of said catch and engaging said catch on theside opposite said joint, the bottom of each side flange having a grooveto fit over said ledges; a trigger mounted in said cap for longitudinalmovement relative thereto, said trigger having sides and a front whichis concave on the outside and which connects the front ends of saidsides, each said trigger side having a longitudinal slot therein throughwhich said front cap pin extends, an offset corresponding in position tosaid grooves in the bottom of said cap side flanges, an inwardlyextending flange rearwardly of said offset and a rearwardly extendingprojection at the rear end thereof, said trigger also having a pinextending between said sides for engaging said groove of said catch; acoil spring disposed between said cap top and said inwardly extendingtrigger flanges, one end of said spring engaging said center cap pin andthe opposite end of said spring engaging said trigger pin, said top ofsaid cap having on the underside a pair of laterally spaced, downwardlyextending flanges forming a trough therebetween for receiving the top ofsaid spring and connected at the rear end by a downwardly extendingabutment engaged by the end of said spring, with a downwardly extendingblock integral with each said trough flange and disposed outwardlythereof, said projection of each trigger side extending between one ofsaid blocks and the inside of the adjacent side flange of said cap, saidprojections also being movable longitudinally in the space between saidcap top and said cap center pin; and a block of compressible, resilientmaterial disposed in the space between said side flanges of said baseand abutting said base end flanges, said block having a lower legextending rearwardly beneath said rear cap pin and a top beveledupwardly from rear to front, said block having a width less than thedistance between said base side flanges to permit compression thereof bysaid rear cap pin and by the top of said cap.

16. A device for attaching two separable parts together along a jointtherebetween, comprising a base mounted on one said part adjacent saidjoint; a catch mounted on the other said part adjacent said joint inopposed position to said base; a cap extending across said joint withsaid parts in closed position; means including a pivot pin for pivotallymounting said cap on said base; a trigger mounted on said cap formovement relative thereto, said trigger being provided with means forremovably engaging said catch; and a block of compressible, resilientmaterial mounted on said base, said base being connected with said pinso that said pin may move toward and away from said block and willcompress said block when said trigger engages said catch.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS461,254 Barrows Oct. 13, 1891 746,709 Klages Dec. 15, 1903 802,392Hawley Oct. 24, 1905

